Canada’s Sophie Bukovec and Brandie Wilkerson fell to Australia’s Taliqua Clancy and Mariafe Artacho Del Solar 2-1 (21-17, 21-15, 15-12) in Gstaad, Switzerland, on Saturday, eliminating them from medal contention at the Swiss stop on FIVB Beach Volleyball Pro Tour Elite 16.
The natives of Toronto, Ont. entered the tournament ranked 22nd in the world and have had a stellar season since finishing second at the world championships in Rome, Italy, last month. Wilkerson, 29, and Bukovec, 26, only teamed up before this season.
With a passionate Swiss crowd fully invested in the match as temperatures hit 27 degrees Celsius the Ontario-based pair appeared to have rebounded in the final set, exchanging points to 10-10 before falling to the Australians 15-12, and dropping the match.
“I’m so excited; I’ve always dreamed of playing on Sunday here in Gsdaat,” Clancy said. “This stadium, the energy here is amazing, and it is just so much fun.”
With the loss, the Canadians won’t advance, while their Australian foes move on to the semifinals. Canadian hopes now lie with Sarah Pavan and Melissa Humana-Paredes, who take on defending world champions in Brazil’s Duda and Ana Patricia in the next quarter-final.
WATCH | Canada’s Pavan and Humana-Paredes play the quarter-final in Gstaad:
Gstaad, Switzerland will host the world’s top beach volleyballers in an exciting competition of athletic prowess.
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